it was terrible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was terrible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion or experience regarding a situation, event, or object. Example: "The movie we watched last night was so disappointing; it was terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was terrible decision.

The Guardian - Sport

Ebola!' It was terrible".

The Guardian - Sport

"It was terrible stuff!

The New York Times - Books

And it was terrible.

The Guardian - Film

"It was terrible, it was terrible.

The Guardian

It was terrible beyond belief.

Independent

It was terrible this summer".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"It's terrible times".

The New York Times

It is terrible there".

The New York Times

Oh, it's terrible".

The New York Times

"It is terrible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was terrible" to express a strong negative reaction to something, whether it's an experience, performance, or situation. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to.

Common error

While "it was terrible" is widely understood, consider using more descriptive and nuanced language in formal writing. Alternatives like "it was deeply regrettable" or "the situation was severely compromised" can convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "it was terrible" is to serve as a declarative statement expressing a negative evaluation or judgment. It attributes the adjective "terrible" to a specific subject (represented by "it"). As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was terrible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong negative sentiment. As affirmed by Ludwig, it’s a valid way to voice disapproval or disappointment across various contexts. While generally neutral, its formality may be adjusted based on the audience and purpose, especially in professional or academic settings. Consider enhancing impact with more descriptive alternatives when needed, but feel confident in the appropriateness of "it was terrible" for general usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was awful

Replaces "terrible" with a more general term for something unpleasant.

it was dreadful

Substitutes "terrible" with a word suggesting something causing great fear or suffering.

it was horrible

Replaces "terrible" with a synonym emphasizing the shocking or unpleasant nature of the experience.

it was horrendous

Emphasizes the extreme unpleasantness of the event.

it was appalling

Conveys a sense of shock and disapproval.

it was shocking

Focuses on the surprising and upsetting nature of the experience.

it was unbearable

Highlights the difficulty in enduring the experience.

it was devastating

Indicates that the event caused significant emotional or physical damage.

it was catastrophic

Emphasizes the disastrous nature of the event.

it was tragic

Highlights the sorrowful and unfortunate aspects of the situation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it was terrible"?

You can use alternatives like "it was awful", "it was dreadful", or "it was horrible" depending on the context.

How can I use "it was terrible" in a sentence?

Use "it was terrible" to express a negative opinion or experience. For example: "The food at the restaurant was overcooked; it was terrible" or "The weather during our vacation was rainy; it was terrible."

Is "it was terrible" too informal for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was terrible" might be too informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more precise and descriptive language to convey your meaning.

What's the difference between "it was terrible" and "it was tragic"?

"It was terrible" expresses a general negative experience, while "it was tragic" implies a sense of deep sorrow and loss. Use "it was tragic" when the situation involves significant suffering or death.